Clydebank charity with rebrand and name change

Kevin Crawford revealed the Big Disability Hub in Dalmuir is changing to "Improving Lives” in the hope of enhancing the well-being and opportunities of those living with disabilities or long-term conditions, as well as their families and carers.

The group, who only last year took up home at the old Independent Resource Centre (IRC) building on Dumbarton Road after five years of operating in the community, help people living with disabilities and long-term conditions to live better lives, whether it’s through help and support classes or completing benefit application forms and employment CVs.

And, speaking to the Clydebank Post during a visit to celebrate the new name, Kevin explained it was conversations with the younger members of the area which convinced him it was the right time to make the change.

He said: “We realised there are a lot of people missing out on this just because of the name.

“We see people passing the door and they are thinking of coming in but they look at the name.

“We got feedback from younger folk, like kids from high school. We thought, 'we need to do something about it'.

“We wanted to make it more inclusive and open to everybody so that nobody should have an issue about being able to come here and get support.”

MSP Marie McNair gave a speech (Image: Tom Grant)

It was a good turn out to launch the new name (Image: Tom Grant)

Kevin admitted he has been thinking about the new Improving Lives name for a couple of years and explained the only way is up now with the charity providing more services and more help than ever.

“We want to make it more inclusive,” he added.

“A lot of people don’t like being labelled with the words ‘disability’ or as being ‘disabled,’ even though a lot of long-term conditions are classed as having a disability.

“A lot of people don’t like the label.”

To celebrate the rebrand, the hub invited local politicians and business leaders to get a glimpse of what was next for the organisation.

Clydebank MSP Marie McNair gave a speech and described just how vital the service is.

She told the Post: "It was a pleasure to attend the event to celebrate the name change of the Big Disability Group to Improving Lives.

“It is a change of name important to the group, but it's not a change of heart. Not a change of determination or compassion or recognising the importance of being there when people need them.

“As Clydebank's MSP I see the things Improving Lives do in an abundance.

“They care deeply about the needs of my constituents, and it is great to have such a dedicated organisation in Clydebank. I thank them for everything they do and will always be on their side."